Chapter 1 offers a summary of the key statistics for 2002. According to the British Crime Survey (BCS), crimes against adults living in private households dropped 2 percent during 2002. An analysis of the long-term trend indicates that there has been a 25 percent reduction in crime since 1997. The rate of violent crime experienced by adults living in private households remained stable in England and Wales during 2002, but has dropped 24 percent since 1997. Current statistics and long-term trends for detentions, arrests, offenders, cautions, court proceedings, and sentencing are offered. Chapter 2 reports on offenders cautioned or found guilty and reveals that the number of known offenders increased 4 percent to approximately 1.6 million. Offenders found guilty during 2002 numbered 1.42 million, an increase of 5 percent from the previous year. Convictions for all offenses increased by 71,600, while cautions decreased by 4,500. Statistics on offenders found guilty or cautioned are offered by type of offense, sex, and age group. Chapter 3 reports on court proceedings and indicates that there was a 5 percent increase from 2001 on the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts. The proportion of cases committed for trial remained stable at approximately 7 percent. Convictions following not guilty pleas increased to 60 percent during 2002, while the rate of guilty pleas for indictable offenses rose to 65 percent, an increase of 5 percent from the previous year. Chapter 4 presents statistics on current sentencing and sentencing trends. The number of offenders sentenced in 2002 rose 5 percent to total 1.42 million offenders. There was an 8 percent increase in the number of offenders aged 21 or older who were sentenced, while the number of sentenced offenders under age 21 decreased during 2002. Five percent more offenders were sentenced to immediate custody in 2002 than in 2001 and the magistrates’ courts use of custodial sentences for indictable offenses increased 1 percent. Chapter 5 offers statistics on the use of police bail and court remand, revealing that approximately 54 percent of persons directed to appear at magistrates’ courts were summoned while about 46 percent were arrested and charged by police. Figures, tables, appendix